Senscot Bulletin: 23.11.12

Dear members and friends,

A reader linked me to this video of a talk by Ken Robinson the educationalist – it’s very good. He speaks of the world that exists independent of us – the outer world of objects and events and other people; but, he says, there’s also a world that only exists because you exist – that only came into being when you did – and will end when your physical being ceases to be. It’s the inner world of your private consciousness – which no one else can ever truthfully know. Scot’s psychiatrist R.D Laing once called it "the world in which there is only one set of footprints".
Our human experience is a constant attempt to reconcile inner and outer – heart and mind; to negotiate our understanding of our self with the world around us. Robinson’s main point – is that Western Society (particularly our education) is too focused on the external mechanistic world of facts and technology. What our kids desperately need is the time – and the techniques – to become comfortable with their personal inner terrain: emotions, imagination, intuition, spirituality, values, empathy etc. He’s a great champion of the arts in education – not to explain – but simply to describe this inner space. Our world will only make sense to us, he says, when inner and outer are in balance; when we’re in touch with our individual sense of meaning; and in creative engagement with the world around us. See video, senscot.net/?viewid=12965
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I have a fundamental unease with the notion, that helping the poor and less fortunate should become lucrative – a dividend based activity; yet the UK Govt is investing millions to promote a social investment model which many of us find morally objectionable. Good piece by Gina Miller – who shares my cynicism – sees the whole confused mess as fuelled by city greed. "Lots of new signs are going up saying ‘social investing’ – but in the back room it’s pure business – with fat fees being charged". See, senscot.net/?viewid=12967 To prevent this bullsh*t taking hold in Scotland we need to work on new mutual models of social investment. Here’s David Floyd’s reaction to Gina’s piece in the Guardian, senscot.net/?viewid=12968
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No matter how many ‘operational’ reasons there may be for centralising Scotland’s police forces – I am vehemently opposed – on the grounds that it is anti-democratic. I would like Scotland to have its own Govt with full fiscal powers; around 7 regions; and hundreds and hundreds of local elected councils. Harry Reid cites the miners’ strike – as a scary example of national policing. See, senscot.net/?viewid=12969
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Wednesday evening, I attended the inaugural Stephen Maxwell lecture at Edinburgh’s Pollock Halls. Given by Alex Salmond – it was a well-attended and well run event – with good questions from an informed and engaged audience. I came away with a more urgent awareness of the cruel impact of benefit cuts on individual families – resolved to give this issue more attention. See, senscot.net/?viewid=12970
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More and more – I hear stories of new co-operatives forming – tackling an amazing range of social and commercial challenges. Here’s a Guardian piece on the co-op movement embarking on internet broadband provision. See, senscot.net/?viewid=12971
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I have long been an enthusiastic supporter of ‘el Sistema’ Raploch – and I celebrate the news that its success will be carried into Govanhill. Scottish Govt is to be commended for finding this money in difficult times. Sound judgement. Richard Holloway spoke of ‘el Sistema’ in the Bolivar lecture in 2009 – here’s our bulletin’s link from that time. See, www.senscot.net/view_news.php?viewid=8777
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Ashoka is one of the world’s leading networks for social entrepreneurs; in this piece, its founder Bill Drayton speaks to Forbes Mag, about the future of our sector. It’s important to appreciate, that these big USA Foundations – Ashoka, Schwab, Skoll etc. – operate in a mindset which sees corporate global capitalism as the only option for the world economy. In the UK – many of us believe we are quietly working towards a different way – a fairer, more mutual and environmental economic system. See, senscot.net/?viewid=12972
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NETWORKS 1st: Kim writes: NEW JOB AT SENSCOT: Over the last 12/18 months, the volume of activity of the Health SEN and Roundtable has grown significantly – in direct response to a number of initiatives from Scottish Govt. With the support of the Govt’s Equality, Third Sector and Communities Division and Health Directorate, Senscot is now seeking a dedicated member of staff to co-ordinate the activities of the Health SEN and Roundtable. Our aim is to ensure that the SE community (via the Health SEN and Roundtable) not only is able to contribute more effectively to the implementation of these new initiatives but also to ensure that the SE community is as well informed as possible on the opportunities that these initiatives will present. Closing date for applications is Monday 10th Dec. To apply, see http://se-networks.net/shownotice.php?articleid=839 For more Networks News, see http://se-networks.net/showbull.php?articleid=269
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Senscot attended the launch of the new Social Enterprise NI in Belfast this week. As a consortium partner, alongside the Social Enterprise Academy, Senscot will be working to support Social Enterprise NI as it looks to develop, support and raise awareness of SE across Northern Ireland. Their initial plans include establishing four regional networks – with the aim of creating an environment where social enterprises can make an increasing contribution to meeting the needs of local communities. We’re delighted to be involved and wish them every success. See, senscot.net/?viewid=12958
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As one new SE support organisation takes root in Northern Ireland, it’s sad to hear that the Welsh Government has decided to withdraw its funding support for the Welsh Social Enterprise Coalition. See,senscot.net/?viewid=12959
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Another report this week supporting the measurement of wellbeing rather than GDP – as a truer indictor of the progress of society – this one by Carnegie UK and IPPR North. See, senscot.net/?viewid=12973
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This week’s bulletin profiles a new social enterprise, run by disabled or partially disabled people, that provides secure courier services and ‘Point – to – Point’ delivery for critical documents, time-sensitive customer parts & technology. Delivered Next Day Personally Ltd (DNDP) services include; pick up from anywhere in the Scottish central belt (24/7/365); deliver anywhere in the central belt within two hours; six hour turnaround service for mainland Scotland; and overnight delivery to most mainland UK locations. For more, see www.senscot.net/view_prof.php?viewid=12957
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Bono was over in Washington DC recently where he spoke to the students of Georgetown University. He quoted the words of Wael Ghonim – who rose to prominence in 2011 during the Egyptian pro-democracy demonstrations.
Bono said: "We have a sense of it from the words of Wael Ghonim – in Tahrir Square – which are tattooed on my brain. ‘We are going to win because we don’t understand politics. We’re going to win because we don’t play their dirty games. We’re going to win because we don’t have a party political agenda. We’re going to win because the tears that come from our eyes actually come from our hearts. We’re going to win because we have dreams. We’re going to win because we are willing to stand up for our dreams.’
We’re gonna win… because the power of the people is so much stronger than the people in power."

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Social Entrepreneurs Network Scotland (Senscot) is registered as a Scottish charity under Scottish Charity No. SC029210 and as a limited company under Company Registration No. SC278156. It's registered office is at 21 Walker Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7HX.